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tawse

(chiefly, Scotland) A leather strap or thong which is split into (typically three) tails, used for corporal punishment in schools, applied to the palm of the hands or buttocks.

tɔːzCurrent136 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US

(chiefly, Scotland) A leather strap or thong which is split into (typically three) tails, used for corporal punishment in schools, applied to the palm of the hands or buttocks.

Origin: Apparently a plural form of taw, though attested earlier. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Tawse means: A leather strap or thong which is split into (typically three) tails, used for corporal punishment in schools, applied to the palm of the hands or buttocks.. It is mainly Scottish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is an education-system term, so usage is institutional and routine.

For ESL learners

tawse means: A leather strap or thong which is split into (typically three) tails, used for corporal punishment in schools, applied to the palm of the hands or buttocks.. Register: informal, Scottish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: anatomy
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US
#2·Apr 27, 2026US

(transitive, chiefly, Scotland) To beat with a tawse.

Cluster: food_drink
Heard in the wild
  • “#domme #dominatrix #domina #mistress #tawse #handstrapping #bdsm #fetish #kink”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Tawse means: A leather strap or thong which is split into (typically three) tails, used for corporal punishment in schools, applied to the palm of the hands or buttocks.. It is mainly Scottish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is an education-system term, so usage is institutional and routine.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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